Walsall 1-3 Grimsby: James Hanson double maintains Mariners' charge

James Hanson scored his fifth goal in six games after his brace help Grimsby came from behind to go fourth in Sky Bet League Two with a 3-1 win at struggling Walsall.

The Saddlers took the lead after five minutes as Caolan Lavery poked home from six yards after Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown saved Elijah Adebayo's near-post shot.

Grimsby almost levelled soon after but Walsall keeper Liam Roberts made a superb fingertip save to thwart Matt Green's far-post header from a Luke Hendrie cross.

But Roberts was at fault for the Mariners' 41st-minute leveller, his weak punch from a corner finding Elliott Whitehouse who headed home via a slight deflection.

McKeown made a smart save to foil Rory Holden's curler early in the second half but Grimsby went ahead in the 68th minute as an unmarked Hanson bulleted home a header from Green's cross.

Hanson sealed the points with a spot-kick in the 81st minutes, drilling a penalty straight down the middle after Cameron Pring barged over Grimsby substitute Max Wright.